Side delivery rotary excavator



July 10, 1962 Filed Aug. 2, 1961 T. R. FOGELBERG SIDE DELIVERY ROTARY EXCAVATOR I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 as Fig.

Team R. F age/berg 1N VEN TOR.

BY flaw.

y 1952 T. R. FOGELBERG 3,043,035

SIDE DELIVERY ROTARY EXCAVATOR Filed Aug. 2, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 as a a a a Q a E Attorney:

July 10, 1962 FOGELBERG 3,043,035

SIDE DELIVERY ROTARY EXCAVATOR Filed Aug. 2, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ten/2y R F age/berg 98 82 INVENTOR.

BY 153404; 3 M1 3,043,035 SIDE DELIVERY RQTARY EXCAVATGR Tenny R. Fogelherg, 1850 E. Linda Vista St, West Eovina, Calif. Filed Aug. 2, 1961, Ser. No. 128,797 13 Claims. (Cl. 37-490) This invention relates to a novel and useful side delivery rotary excavator and more specifically to an excavating machine which is adapted to move a large volume of dirt.

Other than large road grading equipment, very few excavators have been heretofore designed for the express purpose of moving large volumes of dirt: Steam and gasoline or Diesel shovels may of course be used to remove large volumes of dirt but these must be constructed of such large proportions in order to be capable of moving relatively large quantities of dirt in a short period of time that they prove inadequate for many job environments. In addition, a gasoline shovel must be intermittently moved to new locations as the shovel removes the area of dirt immediately adjacent the shovel. A shovel cannot be continually advanced toward the ground which is to be removed inasmuch as earth removal by a shovel is not continuous but intermittent,

It is well known that earth removal equipment which is continually fed toward the material to be removed is the most effective type of earth removal equipment inasmuch as the digging implements are continually engaged with the working face and the machine itself may be fed toward the Worldng face at a rate determined by the capacity of the digging elements. Accordingly, the digging elements may be operated at full power and the machine carrying the digging elements may be advanced toward the working surface at a maximum rate at all times in order that the excavating machine may be utilized to remove a maximum amount of dirt in a given period of time.

Accordingly, the main object of this invention is to provide an excavator of the type having movable digging elements which may be continually engaged with a working face.

A further object of this invention is to provide an excavator in accordance with the preceding object which may be continually advanced toward the working face.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a rotary type excavator whose rotary digging elements may be adjustably positioned relative to a stationary portion of the excavator in order that the digging elements may be positioned to engage the working face in the most advantageous manner.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a rotary excavator whose digging elements may be adjusted vertically as well as laterally of the main body portion of the excavator.

A further object of this invention, in accordance with the preceding objects, is to provide a supporting frame for the aforementioned rotary earth removal assemblies which is provided with crawler-type supporting treads and motor means operatively connected thereto for movement of the main body portion of the excavator in order that the latter may be advanced relative to the working surface independently of operation of the rotary earth removal assemblies.

A final object to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a side delivery rotary excavator which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to operate so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the rotary excavator of the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the excavator as seen from the left side of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational View of the excavator as seen from the bottom side of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings the numeral 1% generally designates the excavator of the instant invention which includes a main frame or body portion generally referred to by the reference numeral 12 and a pair of crawler-typaground-engaging support treads generally referred to by the reference numeral 14. The crawler treads 14 are entrained about sprocket wheels 16 and 38 of which one may be drivingly connected to the prime mover (not shown) of the excavator 10 in the usual manner.

An operators station generally referred to by the reference numeral 29 is provided on the excavator 10 and is provided with suitable controls for operation of the various motor means forming component parts of the excavator which are to be hereinafter more fully set forth.

A pair of elongated upright supports generally referred to by the reference numerals 22 are rotatably supported on opposite ends of the main frame 12 for rotation about axes extending longitudinally of the upright supports in any convenient manner. if it is desired, the upright supports 22 may be of cylindrical construction and each may be telescoped about a rigid upstanding support carried by the main frame 12.

A brace assembly generally referred to by the reference numeral 24 includes a horizontal brace member 26 having cylindrical journal portions 28 and 36 secured to its opposite ends in any convenient manner. The brace assembly 24 also includes a pair of diagonal brace members 32 and 34 which are secured between the journal portions 23 and 3t} and the main frame 12. Each of the upright supports 22 includes a cap plate 36 which is secured to the upper end of the corresponding upright sup-.

port 22 which projects through a corresponding journal portion. It is to be understood that the journal portions 28 and 50 rotatably receive the upper ends of the upright supports 22.

Each of the cap plates 36 has an electric motor winch generally referred to by the reference numeral 38 secured thereto and each winch 38 includes a pair of Winding drums 49. A pair of endless flexible members 41 are wound about the winding drums 40 of each winch 38 and are passed over the idler pulleys 4-2 rotatably supported from each cap plate 36. The free ends of the endless flexible members 41 are secured to the bight portion 44- of a corresponding hanger member generally referred to by the reference numeral 46 which is generally inverted U-shaped and includes a pair of depending generally plate-like legs 48. The bight portions 44 interconnect the upper ends of corresponding legs 48' and it may be observed from FIGURES 2 and 5 of the drawings that the lowermost portions of the confronting inner faces of the legs 48 are provided with a plurality of generally horizontally disposed grooves 50.

The bight portion 44 is centrally apertured and is slidingly disposed on the corresponding upright support 22 for vertical movement therealong. In addition, it will be noted that each upright support 22 includes a key rib which extends longitudinally thereof and is referred to by the reference numeral 52. Each rib S2 is received within-a corresponding notch formed in the corresponding bight portion-44 andopening inwardly-of the central aperture formed therein. In this manner, the hanger members 46 are mounted on the upright supports 22 for rotation therewith. V

' With attention now invited toFIGURES I and of the drawings it will be seen that an elongated generally horizontal support arm 54 is carried by each upright support 22. Each support arm 54 has a longitudinally extending'slot 56 formed therein which opens through one end of the support arm. The slots 56 each slidingly and rotatably receive the. corresponding upright support 22 and it will be noted that the upper portions of the opposite sides of each arm 54 has a plurality of longitudinally extending and outwardly projecting ribs 58 formed thereon which are complementary to and slidably received in the corresponding grooves 50.

In addition, it will be noted that the upper surface of each arm 54 has a rack gear 60 secured thereto inany convenient manner and which extends'. longitudinally of v the corresponding support arm 54 adjacent one side edge thereof. A suitable motor 62 is housed within each of the hanger members 46 and includes an output shaft 64 on which there is secured a gear wheel 66 which is engaged with the corresponding rack gear 60. .Thus, upon actuation of each motor 62, the corresponding support arm 54 will be moved longitudinally and relative to the corresponding upright support 22. a

With attention .now directed to FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawings it will be seen that each upright support 22 has a ring gear 70 secured toits lower end portion which is, aligned with a drive gear 72 carried by a corresponding electric motor 74. ..The corresponding drive and ring gears 72 and 70 have an endless chain 76 entrained thereabout. Accordingly, each of the electric motors 74 is drivingly connectedto its corresponding upright support 22.

'With'attention now directed to FIGURES 2 and 4 of the drawings it will be seenthat each hanger member 46 includes a pair of depending laterally spaced disks 78 and 80 from which a plurality of rollers. 80 are rotatably journalled about axes extending transversely of the corresponding disks and arranged along a segment ofa circle. A rotary earth digging assembly generally referred to by the reference numeral 82 is carried by each support arm 54 and includes a drum portion generally referred to by the reference numeral 84 with which a corresponding set of rollers 80 is engaged in order to rotatably support the drivingly connected to a driving gear 92 carried by an associated electric motor 94 by means of an endless chain 96. In this manner, upon actuation-of the electric motors 94 the corresponding earth digging assembly 82 will be rotated. Each earth digging assembly 82 includes -a plurality of diggingteeth 98 which are formed on the leading edges of each bucket 86. e r With'attention now directed to FIGURES 1-4 of the drawings it will be noted that; each of the support arms 54 has a pair of longitudinally extending legs 100 and 102 from'which the disks 80 and 78 depend. The legs 100 and'102 are formed by the corresponding slot 56 and each of the legs 100 and 102 has an opening 104 formed therein which is substantially vertically aligned with the axis of rotation of the corresponding drum portion 84.

The openings 104 of each support arm 54 are transversely V aligned and loosely receive the free end of an associated elongated conveyor assembly generally referred to by the reference numeral 106. Each of the legs 102 has an outwardly and laterally directed support arm 110 secured thereto to whose outer end the free end of the correspond ing elongated conveyor assembly 106 is pivotally and slid-- ably secured by means of a mounting assembly generally referred to by the reference numeral 112. The inner end of each conveyor assembly 106 is swivelly supported from a mounting bracket 114 by means of a swivel assembly 116. It will be noted that each of the elongated conveyors 106 comprises an endless flexible member 118 which is entrained over a pair of rollers (not shown) carried by opposite ends of the corresponding conveyor assembly 106. It is to be noted that suitable motor means (not shown) may be provided for the endless flexible members 118.

Each of conveyors 106 is loosely received through the corresponding pair of aligned openings 104'and accordingly it may be observed that each of the support arms 54 may be swung about the axis of rotation of the corresponding upright support 22, raised and lowered relative to the corresponding upright support 22 and extended longitudinally in order to move the corresponding earth digging assembly 82 outwardly away from the corresponding upright support 22.

It is to be noted that the upper reaches of the endless flexible members 118 move toward the center of the main frame 12 and thus establish discharge ends for the conveyors 106 disposed immediately above a central elongated conveyor assembly generally referred to by the reference numeral 120. .The inlet end of the conveyor assembly 120 established by the portion of the endless flexible member 122 thereof disposed immediately beneath the discharge ends of the conveyor assemblies 106 is disposed lowermost and the opposite end. of the conveyor assembly 120 or thedischarge end thereof is upwardly inclined and is supported by means of diagonal brace members 124 secured between the discharge end of the conveyor assembly 120 and the main frame 12 of the excavator 10. A suitable motor 126 may be drivingly connected to the endless flexible member 122 in order to convey material disposed thereon. a

With attention now directed again to FIGURE 1 of the drawings it will be seen that the earth digging assemblies 82 may be engaged with the working face 128. The main frame 12 may be advanced along the working face 128 in order that the earth digging assemblies 82 may continually remove material from the working face 128. If it is desired, the hanger members 46 may be raised or lowered in order that the earth digging assemblies 82 may be utilized to remove portions of the working face 128 disposed above or below the main frame 12.

It isto be noted that each of the electric motors hereinbefore described may be operated independently of the other electric motors whereby each of the earth digging assemblies 82 maybe individually positioned relative to the mainframe 12 and operated at a'speed which may be different from the speed of the other earth digging assembly 82.

Additionally, although the motors herein have been set "forth as electric motors, other suitable motor means may be utilized. If it is desired, fluid motors may be substituted for the electric motors and receive their power from a central fluid pump deriving power from the prime frame and adapted to support and move the latter longitudinally over a supporting surface, at least one elongated upright support, means rotatably supporting said upright support on said frame for movement about its longitudinal axis, an elongated generally horizontal support arm carried by said upright support, earth digging means movably mounted on one end of said am, means mounting the other end of said arm on said support for vertical movement there along, for swinging movement with and upon rotation of said support, and for longitudinal movement of said support arm transversely of said support, and

first, second and third drive means operatively connected between said upright support and said mounting means, between said support and said frame and between said arm and said mounting means respectively for vertically adjusting said arm relative to said support, rotating said support and longitudinally adjusting said arm relative to said support respectively.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said earth digging means includes a rotary digging assembly mounted on said one end of said arm for rotation about a substantially horizontally disposed axis extending transversely of said arm. 7

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said ground engaging support means includes crawler type tread assemblies.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said main frame includes a pair of upright supports.

5. The combination of claim 1 including an elongated conveyor assembly for each of said arms having one end pivotally secured to said main frame and the other pivotally and slidably secured to said one end of said arm and positioned to receive earth dug by said earth digging means.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said main frame includes a pair of upright supports, an elongated conveyor assembly for each of said arms having one end pivotally secured to said main frame and the other pivotally and slidably secured to said one end of the corresponding arm and positioned to receive earth dug by the associated earth digging means.

7. The combination of claim 6 including a third elongated conveyor assembly supported trom said main frame and including an inlet end positioned to receive the dis charge from said one end of said first-mentioned elongated conveyor assemblies.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said main frame includes a pair of upright supports, and external means establishing bracing between the upper ends of said upright supports and said main frame.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein each or" said arms has a longitudinally extending upstanding slot formed therein which slidably and rotatably receives the corresponding upright support, said mounting means including a han er member slidably mounted on said upright support and for rotation therewith and including means slidably receiving said arm.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said hanger member comprises a generally inverted U-shapcd member including substantially plate-like depending legs interconnected at their upper ends by means of a hight portion, the confronting surfaces of said legs including horizontally disposed guide means, said otherend of said arm received between said legs and including means slidingly engaged with said guide means.

ll. The combination of claim 10 wherein said bight portion has an opening formed therethrough slidably re ceiving said upright support, and means keying said bight portion to said upright support for rotation therewith.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said first motor means is carried by the upper end portion of said upright support and includes means connected with said hanger member for raising and lowering the latter relative to said upright support.

13. The combination of claim 1 wherein said main frame includes a pair of upright supports, said support arms each being individually adjustable by means of the corresponding first, second and third drive means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 242,484 Smith June 7, 1881 2,926,438 Kolbe Mar. 1, 1960 3,003,611 Pelzer Oct. 10, 1961 

